Posts Tagged ‘cats’

In these days of the Internet age, pet parents are turning to search engines like Ask.com to answer some of their pressing questions. As the year comes to a close, Ask.com has released its top questions asked about pets:

Why do cats purr?
How long do dogs stay in heat?
Why do cats knead?
How do you potty train a puppy?
Do fish sleep?
What do lizards eat?
Can Guinea Pigs be trained?
How long do rabbits live?
Are dogs colorblind?
Can dogs take aspirin?

I had a little trouble imbedding the video, so here is a screen shot of sleeping kittens.

Remember Puppy Cam? Now you can watch a live stream of kittens! (On your lunch break, of course). And what’s better than live footage of kittens? Live footage of rescue kittens! That’s right, the kittens in the video are available for adoption through Independent Animal Rescue in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC area.

Here’s another photo contest opportunity! The Ladies’ Home Journal Cutest Pet Contest is looking for your cute pet photos! If you think you have the most adorable cat or dog, prove it and submit a photo by August 7. Twenty finalists will be featured on the Ladies’ Home Journal Web site, and one will win the grand prize of $500 – and the national title to go with it.

A recent study conducted by the national nonprofit group Alley Cat Allies reveals that the majority of household cats in the US are neutered. The study, “Population Characteristics and Neuter Status of Cats Living in Households in the United States,” is published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.

Consisting of 1205 random respondents across the country, this is the first nationally representative study to analyze the relation of household income to the neuter status of pet cats. The income benchmark included in the study was $35,000, and the findings indicate that family income is the most significant predictor of whether household pet cats are neutered. Read the rest of this entry »

In celebration of Earth Day 2009, Automated Pet Care Products, Inc., invites you to “go green” with your cat by entering to win a new ECO Unit Litter-Robot and Litter-Robot Ramp. The Litter-Robot is the only automated, self-cleaning litter box product made in the U.S., and the new ECO Unit is made from recycled materials.

Reducing your cat’s carbon paw print is easy with the Litter-Robot, but it’s not the only way to “go green” with your pet. Choose organic catnip and treats; use biodegradable pet waste bags made from renewable, sustainable materials; repurpose household items for toys; use brushes made with recycled resources; and choose collars and leashes made from organic cotton, 100% recycled polyester or hemp.

To register to win the ECO Unit Litter-Robot and Litter-Robot Ramp, visit the Litter-Robot blog and share how you and your cat are trying to reduce your environmental impact. Entries must be received by June 1. —Christina Cottini

Twitter is taking over! It’s not just for people anymore; one special cat named Romeo has raised more than $5,000 to benefit animal rescue organizations. What started as a bit of a joke has morphed into a phenomenon. Romeo became a Twittering cat back in February and quickly began gaining followers … more than 3,000 of them to date!

The phenomenon provided a powerful platform for a widespread fundraising effort for nonprofit rescue organizations. Romeo has committed to contribute 5 cents for each follower on Twitter, and those followers have shown support in droves by matching his donations.

This project has evolved even further into a monthly FURPOWER campaign. A new rescue organization is selected each month via random drawing. Submissions are accepted during the preceding month on Romeo’s blog at RomeoTheCat.com. Nominated organizations must be US-based, dedicated nonprofits, and include cats in their efforts. Several pet brands have recognized the significance of the FURPOWER campaign and have hopped on board as sponsors. Romeo’s efforts even received mention in David Pogue’s blog in The New York Times in March.

During the first week of April, Romeo and his followers have raised more than $1,200 for Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles. To participate or learn more, visit RomeoTheCat.com. —Christina Cottini

Spring is in the air, which can mean only one thing–it’s almost kitten season! Kitten season sounds like a cute overload holiday, but it’s not all fun and games. Many shelters and rescues get overwhelmed with the influx of kittens.

The occurrence of kitten season is due to female cats’ heat cycles synchronizing with warm weather. Any unaltered female cat roaming outdoors from spring until fall is at risk of becoming pregnant. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the best thing to do to help animal shelters avoid kitten and cat overpopulation is to spay and neuter cats. Trap-Neuter-Return is a humane way to combat overpopulation by trapping feral cats and kittens, sterilizing them, and returning them to their colonies.

If you see an abandoned kitten litter, wait and watch from a distance to see if the mother returns. According to Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies, “If kittens are not handled in the first weeks of their lives, they are not socialized to humans, and are thus ‘feral’. Older kittens are probably better off left in their outdoor home.” If the mother cat does not return, the kittens can be socialized and adopted or trapped, neutered, and returned, depending on the age. Either way, all the cats should be spayed/neutered to prevent future litters.

Check with your local shelters and rescues to see what supplies they need donated to help with kitten season.

For more information about caring for and socializing kittens, as well as tips on starting a Trap-Neuter-Return program and connecting with Feral Friends, check out Alley Cat Allies’ website.

Do you know a kid or teen who is especially kind to animals? American Humane Association wants to know! In honor of its 95th annual Be Kind to Animals Week, the group is accepting nominations of kids ages 6-17 who are active in their communities to improve the lives and welfare of animals.

Be Kind to Animals Week is May 3-9. To enter, fill out a nomination form at AmericanHumane.org. Entries will be split into two age groups, six to 12, and 13 to 17. Winners will receive $1,000 in cash, which they can apply towards their cause.

There’s no better time to sign Fido and Fluffy up for insurance. If you enroll online before March 31, you can get 10% off ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. Visit ASPCAPetInsurance.com/ASPCA to enroll. Enter code A09ASPCAD to get the discount.